Windermere Lodge - In the Media
The following article was published in the Cumbria Business Gazette in June 2008Hobson's choice is proved right
John Hobson's initial dissatisfaction with the county's standard online offering for tourists has lead - after much hard graft - to his pioneering Windermere Lodge site winning Cumbria Tourism Website of the Year. Terry Kirton finds out how he got there
Windermere Lodge - www.windermerelodge.co.ukWhen John Hobson went looking for holiday accommodation on the internet he knew exactly what information he wanted. There had to be detailed descriptions of all that was on offer for tourists in the surrounding area. The information had to be neatly packaged on a navigable site and it needed to be targeted directly at him and his family's needs. But what did he find? Most websites just did not meet his expectations.
So when he set about building a website for his holiday lodge on the Limefitt Park site in the Troutbeck Valley, near Windermere, he decided that effective content, precise targeting, relevant links and attention to detail would be the order of the day. Now his hard work has not only helped build a profitable business, it has won Windermere Lodge the title of Cumbria Tourism Website of the Year.
DEVOTED WEBMASTER
“I started out as a consumer of this type of product and saw just how rarely I could get the information I needed,” he said. But to satisfy the needs of the whole range of visitor-types requires a considerable amount of energy. So how much time does he devote to his role of webmaster, I wondered. "Ah well, I think you had better ask my wife that question. I am afraid it has become my main hobby," said John who writes a regular blog and updates events and news sections at least once a week. "It is hard to say just how much time it takes up, but I do spend two or three hours at a time updating information," said John, who has clearly put his heart into the creation of this spectacularly user-friendly site which offers huge quantities of information for potential visitors.
Not satisfied with one list of things to do, this site focuses on different tourist needs. For the family there is a section on “Things to do on a rainy day”. There are specialist pages for walkers and wildlife-watchers and gardeners. For those who like to spend their holiday pottering around the area and sight-seeing there are copious details on houses to visit, local history and geography and a comprehensive events calendar.
TALKING YOUR LANGUAGE
Another impressive feature is the series of welcome pages written in a range of languages. Not content with the usual web-based translation service, John has written the pages in the popular European languages either himself or with the help of friends. "There is also a Google widget at the bottom of the page to provide a translation for other languages like Greek, Japanese and Chinese," he said. Care has also been taken to consider the overall look of the site. It may not be as slick as those created for the wealthy hotel chains, but it reflects the personality of the company. "We have used natural colours in our site design - blues and greens - that help relate the site to the Cumbrian countryside. We wanted to ensure that the site doesn't look like a template design, but reflects our own individuality." he said.
Interactivity with website users is also as important. John's blog is kept up to date with all sorts of tips and insights into the area. There is a visitors' online forum and two video tours which show the area across the seasons. If the clear layout plans of the interior of the lodge do not provide enough information for potential customers there is a 360 degree panoramic feature.
And there is another form of interactivity which John sees as equally important. “We firmly believe that it is only by weaving our offering into the fabric of the local area that we will generate success. Windermere Lodge is nothing without our beautiful setting and our success is bound up with that of the local economy and environment" he said.
GUIDING PRINCIPAL
This has been the website's guiding principle - and it has been working particularly well. This year has started slowly because of the current economic downturn, but website visitor numbers steadily increased during 2007 with, on average, one booking gained from every 150 web visits. At the peak of the season there were something like 2,500 unique visitors per month.
John will certainly not be resting on his laurels. In an attempt to constantly improve customer service, paper-based questionnaires are issued to each guest to measure satisfaction levels.
"We publish the results on the website to create a virtuous marketing circle," he explained. But John is bracing himself for a tough year. He believes that most tourism-based businesses are anticipating a dip in visitors. "The strength of the pound is now an issue," he said.
Nevertheless, his company should be well equipped to maximise its potential in a difficult business climate. A great deal of work has to be done on creating effective content and in reciprocal linking to relevant organisations such as the Wainwright Society, Cumbria Online and Walking World - all of which will help draw in those more elusive visitors.
But I will let John have the last word on the effectiveness of his website.
"The web allows small enterprises like ours to create a meaningful presence alongside more established businesses and agencies. It is proof that what counts is effort and quality and not the amount of money that you spend,"
The following article was published in the Lytham St Annes Express in May 2008
Couple's website in regional tourism win
Published Date: 22 May 2008
By Staff Copy
A Lytham couple have won a regional tourism award for the quality of their website.
John and Linda Hobson triumphed against major tourism operators to win the Cumbria Tourism Website of the Year Award 2008.
The couple have been letting their holiday lodge in Limefitt in the Lake District for the past 18 months and promote it through their website. www.windermerelodge.co.uk
After entering the prestigious Cumbrian tourism awards earlier this year, they learned last month that they had been shortlisted. And at a glittering ceremony, held at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, they learned they had won.
Mr Hobson said: "We won against three other very professional finalists. This means that we are now going on to represent Cumbria in the North West Tourism Awards for this category in October."
Entries were invited from "any organisation in the tourism industry offering new or innovative website facilities in keeping with their product or service" which demonstrated "considerable success and excellent customer/user service".
The other finalists included websites run by the English Lakes Hotels and the South Lakeland Parks Ltd, which has facilities at various locations.
The Hobson's Windermere Lodge provides accommodation for up to four people and has views over Wansfell to the East, Applethwaite Common to the West and the Troutbeck Fells to the North.
If you need any further information please don’t hesitate to email us
In May 2009 we were featured in Carlisle Living's
Six Of The Best Holiday Cottages For A Break Close To Home
"Brits will be flocking to one of the UK's top holiday destinations this year - Cumbria. Nick Brownlee picks six of the best holiday cottages for a break close to home
....
WINDERMERE LODGE - Troutbeck
Tel: 07919 032710
www.windermerelodge.co.uk
Pretend you're a wild west pioneer with your own log cabin. The Lodge is located within Limefitt Park, and can house up to four people, with central heating, double glazing and free Wi-Fi to ensure things aren't too primitive.
There is a pub, shop, adventure playground, sports field, river pool, and access directly onto the fells on the doorstep, while two of the Lake District's finest pubs are within a few minutes' walk."
Windermere Lodge Wins 2009 ROWA International Web Site Best Content Award
Westmorland Gazette - October 8th 2009
We got some coverage in the Blackpool Gazette as well!
"A five star stay in five star Britain and just 90 minutes from home. Brilliant."
A review of one of our other lodges, dog-friendly Kingfisher Lodge by Nick Peet of the Liverpool Echo
At the end of 2009 we had a visit from Nick Peet, who is a well-known sports reporter on the Liverpool Echo. He stayed with his lovely fiancee, Sally, and his young puppy, Lola. This is his review.
Beauty and peace on your doorstep
Jan 5 2010 by Nick Peet, Liverpool Echo
Lola the bulldog takes Nick Peet for a week of splashing about in the Lake District
THE stress and strain of holiday travel often leaves you needing another break, even before you’re back breathing Mersey air.
Hours queuing at foreign airport check-in desks can test the blood pressure of even the most patient of high flyers, while constant air traffic delays can spoil the most exciting of breaks in the sun.
And I am sure we’ve all suffered from outrageous early morning hotel check-out times, when you’re left to store your luggage with a dozen other families, in some unlocked reception room and forced to shower using the poolside garden tap!
Fortunately for me I’m a happy flyer, so the prospect of a couple of hours in the sky with nothing but dry air and steamed meals in plastic trays actually appeals, but you can see what I’m getting at here.
For all those reasons and for one other – our seductively salivating 12-month old bundle of bulldog – we ditched the flip-flops and sunglasses in favour of a delectably British break this year.
And who would’ve guessed that just 90 minutes from Liverpool lies the kind of picturesque and beautiful landscape that you won’t find on the Costas.
The Lake District is a place which I had associated with retired folk and cub scouts, but I found to be arguably one of the most relaxing holiday destinations I’ve ever been to.
Aside from the fact the door-to-door travel time is shorter than your average trip through passport control, the Lakes offer more adventure for your pennies than any sandy beach or desert island ever could.
So what if the sun shines only briefly through the summer months, this is rural England at its most enchanting.
We stayed in a privately owned, luxury pine lodge which hangs out over the Troutbeck River, on the established Limefitt Park complex.
The park is home to dozens of holiday homes and luxury cabins and boasts a range of facilities including a children’s play area, a swimming hole and even a dog park, which to Lola’s delight included an icy stream for splashing about in.
The lodge, one of three holiday homes owned by Mr and Mrs Hobson located on the park, was extremely cosy with a roaring gas fire and relaxing leather sofas rivalled only by the big comfy beds.
Perhaps surprisingly, for a lodge which welcomes pets, there was no sign of over the top pet-proofing either, which made our stay more welcoming.
From the Sky TV (at the Haybarn) through to the wireless internet connection, the amenities both inside the lodge and on the park itself – there is also on-site pub and newsagents – offer you the chance to either get away from it all or simply take a break in a home away from home.
For the active person the area is, naturally, one big fell-walk or run and so we wrapped Lola up in her harness and headed for the hills most mornings.
The location of the park means that it is ideally positioned to experience the very best of the Lakes.
From the well-developed and established shop-lined streets of Windermere, to the more basic but far more tranquil village of Glenridding at Ullswater, Limefitt Park is slap bang in the middle just a short drive in either direction.
The highlight of our stay was a day spent at Ullswater, first cheering home the hundreds of sportsmen and women taking part in the gruelling annual village triathlon, followed by getting stuck in a cloud while attempting to navigate our way back across the brilliant winding lanes of the Kirkstone Pass.
The landscape here is like something you would expect to find in New Zealand. I was half expecting a gang of Orcs carrying hobbits to rumble by while we were pulled over in the heavy rain munching on crisps and chocolate and peering out through steamy windows.
Another must during any stay is just a short five minute walk from the park in the form of the Mortal Man gastro pub, which has character and charm in abundance.
The old inn dates back to 1689 and welcomes dogs, which meant the Lola didn’t have to miss out on a five star meal, as she sat under the table eating her way through bread rolls and tit-bits.
And I can heartily recommend the house speciality, Sally Birkett’s Hotpot.
Back at the Kingfisher Lodge and Lola was splashing away in the streams, looking on bewildered at the fields of sheep and cows and chasing spiders across the decking.
She absolutely loved it, and so did we. Thoroughly relaxing and now most definitely a calendar event.
A five star stay in five star Britain and just 90 minutes from home. Brilliant.
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